[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 166 (Wednesday, October 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S15612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IGNORING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MEDICARE TRUSTEES

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, for 2 hours I have been on the floor of 
the Senate and the one thing we did not hear, which is at the heart of 
this whole program, is how our Republican friends possibly justify not 
taking the recommendation of the trustees, which is the amount to 
ensure solvency for Medicare is $89 billion, and for them to justify a 
$270 billion cut. For 2 hours we have waited to hear the reasons for 
that. We have not heard it. There is silence on the other side for the 
reasons that the Senator from West Virginia will point out and the 
reasons why we will have an opportunity to vote.
  The Republican proposal is to provide not just the $87 billion, not 
just solvency for the Medicare Program but lavish tax breaks for the 
wealthiest individuals. That is what this is about. The Republicans 
have not made that case. They have not justified why that is necessary 
and what the impact is going to be on senior citizens. It will be 
double their deductible, double their copay, a raise in the premium, 
and raise the age eligibility from 65 to 67.
  Have you heard that explained by our Republican colleagues? No, you 
have not, Mr. President. And squeeze the elderly so they will no longer 
have a choice of doctors. That is what this legislation is about. We 
want answers. We want answers from those who are trying to jam this 
through the Senate of the United States.
  Why should we accept it? We will have an opportunity to reject it, 
and I hope that the Senate will speak for the American people and 
seniors this afternoon.
  Mr. GRASSLEY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I yield myself 10 minutes.

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